John Connolly

Executive Producer, Multimedia at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory

Work experience

2005Present

Executive Producer, Multimedia

Dolan DNA Learning Center, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory

I manage all elements of a major Internet project exploring how the brain, biochemicals, and genes contribute to human thinking. I have worked with more than 80 leading scientists, including two Nobel Laureates, to produce relevant articles, interviews, animations, and interactive media. The site examines multi-level interactions between biological systems and the environment, and their differential contribution to disorders such as autism, ADHD, depression, and schizophrenia.

2006Present

Writing Consultant

Department of Public Affairs, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory

I consult as a freelance writer for Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory's Harbor Transcript publication. I have written widely on themes such as oncology, education, and genomic technologies.

20022005

Teaching Fellowship

Trinity College Dublin

I coordinated, lectured, and assisted in lecturing Critical Thinking, an advanced General Studies course. This course developed an understanding of scientific process through the lens of neuropsychology. I placed a strong emphasis on self-guided learning.

19992004

Postgraduate Research/Tutoring

Trinity College Dublin

I conducted my doctoral research into the neuropsychological processes underlying spatial attention. I worked on a variety of research projects with stroke patients, ADHD patients, and non-clinical population samples. I liaised with specialized rehabilitation streams from two Dublin hospitals, coordinating research with departments of physiotherapy, genetics, neurology, and occupational therapy.

I regularly taught undergraduate laboratories in Statistics, and small-group tutorials in Introductory Psychology. My main focus was to provide students with the requisite tools to understand the scientific method, and to foster an open and healthy skepticism of psychological research.

20012002

Research Assistant

I conducted research with the Laboratory for Motor Learning and Neural Plasticity, primarily involving the statistical analysis and interpretation of brain imaging data. I also prepared and taught three classes in eating disorders and aging as part of a final year undergraduate course, The Brain and Behavior.

Education

19992004

PhD. Studentship in Neuropsychology of Attention, under the supervision of Professor Ian H. Robertson

AWARDS/DISTINCTIONS

2009 Appointed to the National Association of Biology Teachers Committee for Cyberlearning

2006 Organized the meeting, New Horizons in Internet Site Development, which brought together world leaders in science, education, and technology to strategize techniques for integrating the disciplines. Attendees included a former Under Secretary for Education and a Nobel Laureate.

2006 Co-PI on a $470,000 grant from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation to assess and disseminate online content

2003 Higher Diploma in Statistics, Trinity College Dublin. Completed with first class distinction

2002 One of 16 recipients of the Postgraduate Teaching Fellowship, Trinity College Dublin

2001 Guest Lecturer of the Royal Hospital, Dublin

1999 Postgraduate Award, Trinity College Dublin

1999 One of four recipients of the National Rehabilitation Authority Postgraduate Award